Leasowe Nursery School and Family Centre

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/03/2005 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Sessional Day Care, Creche Day Care Setting Name Leasowe Early Years & Adult Learning Centre Setting Address Twickenham Drive Leasowe Wirral Merseyside CH46 2QF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Education & Cultural Services Department

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Education & Cultural Services Department Address Hamilton Building Conway Street Birkenhead Merseyside CH41 4FD

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

Leasowe Early Years and adult learning centre has been registered since June 2004. It operates from the designated areas within the refurbished building, which offers integrated services to families living on the Wirral Peninsula. The setting is registered to provide care to children in the day nursery, the playgroup and crèche. Leasowe nursery school also operates from the same site. Wrap around care is available to children attending the nursery school and the playgroup, within the day nursery. The day nursery which is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 48 weeks of the year, for a maximum of 28 children aged nought to five years. The playgroup is open on varied days of the week according to demand, term time only, between 09:15 11:15 for a maximum of 25 children aged two to five years. Children attend the playgroup for one term before they move into the Leasowe nursery school. The crèche is open term time only, on varied days of the week according to demand

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Information about the setting

whilst parents attend adult education sessions within the same building. The crèche is registered to care for 20 children between the ages of nought to five years. There are currently 24 children on roll for the day nursery, 10 on roll for the playgroup and 15 on roll for the crèche. The centre provides support to children with special educational needs and children with English as an additional language. The centre employs ten staff to work in the day nursery, the playgroup or the crèche. The qualified Early Years educators employed, who have responsibilities for the day nursery or the playgroup/crèche, hold appropriate Early Years qualifications. In addition to these there are seven staff who hold appropriate Early Years qualifications. Five staff are working towards higher qualifications. Three support staff are also employed.

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How good is the Day Care?

Leasowe Early Years and Adult Learning centre provides good quality care for children. A high percentage of the staff have completed appropriate qualifications,

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 some are working towards higher qualifications. Staff are deployed well and children are secure and confident with adults caring for them. A very warm and welcoming environment is made available to children and their parents. Space is used to cater for the children's needs, appropriate to the care provided. The wide range of good quality resources accessible to children helps to promote their learning in all aspects of their development. Documentation is well organised, efficient systems are in place for the recording of information. Minor attention is required to the recording of incidents. Staff are vigilant about children's safety at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Minor attention is required regarding the safety of the gas appliances. Staff are active in promoting good hygiene and children learn about personal hygiene through

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How good is the Day Care?

the familiar daily routines followed. The meals and the snacks provided, promote healthy eating. The provision of resources to reflect positive images of diversity is very good. Staff have a good understanding of working with children with special needs and demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to the children they care for. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. A good level of activity planning is in place to ensure children are provided with a varied range of opportunities both inside and outdoors. Children are interested in their play and responsive to the staff interaction. Children are well behaved and staff are knowledgeable about managing their behaviour. Their good behaviour/achievements are recognised through praise. Parents have access to a good level of information displayed relating to policies and practices followed. Positive links between the day care settings and home are

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How good is the Day Care?

established and parents wishes are respected.

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What is being done well?

• The staff commitment to attending additional training courses to enhance the quality of the care available to children cared for. Qualified staff are working towards higher qualifications, some to degree level in Early Years. Unqualified staff are working towards a recognised Early Years qualification. • The good organisation of the environment to ensure children and parents are welcome and their needs are met. The children's areas are attractively decorated and their art work displayed. The different areas accommodate the different groups attending the centre which are resourced appropriately for their use. • The excellent range of good quality play materials and equipment both inside and outdoors accessible, to promote the children's learning and ensure they are safe. The centre uses a wide range of natural materials (the treasure baskets) and manufacture toys. Play materials provide sufficient challenge to

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What is being done well?

children of all ages, they are interesting and capture the children's interests.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • The staff commitment and enthusiasm shown when working with the children and the positive emphasis on inclusion. The staff interact/communicate well with children through the use of language, signing, gestures and facial expression, taking account of the needs of all children. The staff deployment and resources enable children with special needs to take part in activities and play alongside their peers. Staff work closely with their parents and other agencies on site in order to meet the needs of the children cared for. • The provision for play and activities. There is a balance of structured activities, free play opportunities, use the computer, times to relax and times to play outdoors for children. Staff make good use of the outdoor play area where children can explore and learn about the natural world, texture and

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What is being done well?

have space to move freely using the good level of resources in place, which are appropriate to their ages/stages of development.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The management, staff and parents of the centre have worked together to convert the large area outdoors into an excellent, safe outdoor play area for the children. It provides a wealth of exciting, imaginative learning opportunities, with a emphasis on inclusion for all children. The children can experience different textures, create their own physical challenges in the age/stage appropriate adventure play areas and explore the natural world by growing plants in the designated planting areas.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation to ensure a system is in place for the recording of incidents of necessary physical intervention • safety, to ensure the gas appliances conform to required standards. The gas safety report available for the inspection is dated May 2003, annual checks are required.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

There are no complaints to report from 1st April 2004

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Ensure gas appliances conform to safety requirements. 11 Devise and implement a system to record any incident of necessary physical intervention.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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